Britain's streets could be covered in cigarette butts if a ban on smoking in public places is introduced, environmental groups have warned.
A survey by the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) found cigarette butts were the second biggest cause of litter after gum.
It found discarded butts made up one-third of waste.
Campaigners say the onus should be on pubs and bars to provide ashtrays for those smoking outside their premises.
Rising waste
INCPEN director Jane Bickerstaffe said local authorities needed to act now "to ensure the familiar groups of smokers huddled outside offices and bars do not become an even bigger litter problem".
A spokesman for the organisation said the incidence of cigarette butt littering had increased by more than 43% between 1996 and 2004 as more premises banned smoking, forcing smokers to stand outside on pavements.
"This figure is likely to rise if the UK follows Ireland's example of banning smoking in public places - a proposal which has been put forward," he said.
" You are not going to get people to stop smoking overnight so we are planning a big campaign this year to focus on the issue "
The survey was carried out by Encams, the charity responsible for the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.
Campaign spokesman Peter Gibson said: "We don't have a view on smoking but we are concerned that when offices brought in a ban very few employers provided bins for their employees to use."
He said this resulted in many more butts being discarded on streets.
"You are not going to get people to stop smoking overnight so we are planning a big campaign this year to focus on the issue," Mr Gibson said.
Councils in London are currently piloting a scheme using stubbis, small flame-proof pouches in which smokers can stub out their cigarettes.
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